This year's Capitol Hill fly-in, the third organised by the NBAA's Young Professionals (YoPro) in Business Aviation Council, was the first to include the message from the new Climbing. Fast. advocacy initiative, focused on the sector's innovation to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

“The Climbing. Fast. programme underscores business aviation's commitment to connecting the world in a sustainable manner, and we welcomed the opportunity the fly-in provided to convey that message with a bipartisan group of congressional representatives,” says YoPro Council co-chair Jamie Munoz, general manager of Galaxy FBO in Addison, Texas.

Julia Harrington, incoming YoPro council co-chair and lead captain for Axis Jet in Chicago agrees, adding: “Sustainability is incredibly important to young people, and it is central to the industry's future. It is clearly a message that resonates with Capitol Hill lawmakers and their staff.”

In carrying the Climbing. Fast. banner, the YoPro delegation focused not only on the industry's comprehensive effort to achieve its net-zero aims, but also its vital role in supporting 1.2 million American jobs and $246 billion in economic output; connecting communities in states and congressional districts; its role in helping small and mid-size businesses succeed in a global marketplace; and its critical ability to provide humanitarian lift in times of crisis.

“These industry professionals bring a unique and powerful voice to our advocacy efforts in Washington,” says NBAA senior vice president of government affairs Kristie Greco Johnson. “The participants in the fly-in are more than leaders in our industry; they are ambassadors and highly effective champions for the priorities of business aviation, including aviation sustainability. We commend them for their participation in this year's fly-in and look forward to working with them on future advocacy initiatives.”

YoPros met with the a number of Members of Congress or their staff, and with staff from the T&I Committee and the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee.